Ancient amulet reveals Solomon's protective role in Anatolia
Archaeologists have discovered a 1,600-year-old amulet in Turkey depicting King Solomon killing a demon. This amulet likely belonged to a cavalryman stationed in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis and is considered by researchers to be a unique piece of Christian sacred art in Anatolia.
24 November 2024 13:52
Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered an extremely rare amulet, dating back to the 5th century, made of bronze. It shows King Solomon on horseback spearing a demon. Solomon was the biblical king of Israel, the son and successor of King David, who was renowned for his wisdom according to biblical tradition. As reported by Live Science, this is the first artifact of its kind found in Anatolia, an area that covers much of modern-day Turkey.
Unique amulet from Turkey
On the front of the amulet, there is an inscription in ancient Greek, which translates to: "Our Lord defeated evil." The back contains the names of four angels: Azrael, Gabriel, Michael, and Israfel. According to Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş from Karabük University, who led the excavations, the amulet was both a religious symbol and a protective talisman.
"Solomon is an important figure in all three holy religions. While he is referred to as a ruler in the Torah and the Bible, he is also recognized as a prophet in Islam, is an important figure in all three monotheistic religions," explained Çelikbaş in a press statement. "The depiction of Solomon on this [pendant] surprised us and revealed the importance of the artefact for Anatolian archaeology."
Hadrianopolis, where the amulet was found, is an ancient city in the Paphlagonia region, on the northern coast of present-day Turkey. The town, founded during Roman times in honour of Emperor Hadrian, flourished in the early Byzantine period. Excavations in this area have uncovered animal mosaics, baths, churches, and fortifications, among other things.
The amulet was discovered in a building that may have served a military function. As Çelikbaş pointed out, earlier studies indicated the presence of a cavalry unit in Hadrianopolis. "Prophet Solomon is also known as the commander of armies. We understand that he was also considered as a protective figure for the Roman and Byzantine cavalry in Hadrianopolis," added the archaeologist.
The artifact is dated to the 5th century when Hadrianopolis was part of the Byzantine Empire. Çelikbaş compared the find to a similar amulet discovered in Jerusalem, which may indicate the religious significance of Hadrianopolis in antiquity. The amulet is currently in a research laboratory but is planned to be moved to a museum, where it will be available for public viewing.
